Category: Business

KUALA LUMPUR: Nihon M&A Center Malaysia, the local arm of Japan’s leading M&A advisory firm, has partnered with YYC, one of Malaysia’s largest SME-focused accounting firms, through a MoU to help more business owners unlock value, pursue growth, and navigate succession with clarity and confidence. With this MoU, it makes M&A more accessible and actionable… Continue reading YYC to provide M&A guidance services via tie-up with Japanese firm

SHAH ALAM: Selangor continued to cement its position as Malaysia’s economic powerhouse, recording a historic GDP of RM432.1 billion in 2024, the highest among all states. This milestone marks a significant leap from RM406.1 billion in 2023, making Selangor the first and only state to cross the RM400 billion threshold for the two-year running. This… Continue reading Selangor’s 2024 GDP hits record RM432b

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia should continue to strengthen its intra-Asean trade relations and engage in multilateral partnerships, as this approach will reduce dependence on any single country and benefit all parties by minimising both trade and non-trade barriers, including tariffs and the movement of goods across borders. Amid an increasingly dynamic geopolitical landscape and rising unilateralism,… Continue reading Malaysia should strengthen Asean ties, engage in multilateral cooperation to counter trade pressures: Experts

KUALA LUMPUR: Governments and businesses must act decisively to close the gender gap in digital access and ensure women are central to the design and governance of emerging technologies, said Thailand’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs. Dr Lalivan Karnchanachari. Speaking at the opening of the 2025 World Women Economic and Business Summit (WWEBS) today, Lalivan… Continue reading Call for decisive action to close gender gap in digital access

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite Malaysia’s progress in women’s education, structural inequalities from algorithmic bias to unpaid care burdens continue to obstruct women from participating in the economy, said leaders at the World Women Economic and Business Summit 2025 today. Former special adviser to the finance minister Nurul Izzah Anwar said systemic barriers, including unpaid care responsibilities… Continue reading Structural barriers still hindering Malaysian women from economic participation: Nurul Izzah

KUALA LUMPUR: Public Investment Bank Bhd expects Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to maintain the overnight policy rate (OPR) at 2.75 per cent through 2025 after the recent 25-basis-point cut. The central bank reduced the OPR yesterday for the first time since July 2020, but analysts do not foresee further cuts this year. Public IB noted… Continue reading BNM expected to keep OPR steady through 2025 after rate cut

SYDNEY: Australian shares followed Wall Street’s upward trend, with banks and miners driving gains as U.S. President Donald Trump widened trade tariffs. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.6% to 8,587.70, recovering from a 0.6% drop the previous day. Financial stocks led the rally, gaining 0.7%, with major banks rising between 0.4% and 1%. Mining stocks… Continue reading Australian shares rise as banks and miners gain amid Trump tariffs

NEW YORK: Global stock markets showed resilience on Wednesday, with the Nasdaq Composite Index climbing to a fresh record high despite escalating tariff threats from former US President Donald Trump. European markets also closed higher, signaling investor confidence amid trade uncertainties. Trump intensified his tariff campaign this week, targeting seven additional countries with warning letters… Continue reading Nasdaq hits record high despite new Trump tariff threats

CALIFORNIA: Nvidia has made history by becoming the first company to reach a staggering $4 trillion in market value, a milestone underscoring Wall Street’s confidence in artificial intelligence as a transformative economic force. The chipmaker’s shares briefly surged to $164.42 in early trading before settling slightly lower, just shy of the record threshold. Steve Sosnick… Continue reading Nvidia hits $4 trillion value as AI boom reshapes global markets

PETALING JAYA: Bank Negara Malaysia has reaffirmed that the impact of current and upcoming domestic policy reforms on inflation is expected to remain manageable – a view in line with analysts’ estimates. OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd global markets research & strategy senior Asean economist Lavanya Venkateswaran said even if the planned rationalisation of RON95 fuel… Continue reading Inflation likely to be under control

KUALA LUMPUR: The newly announced 25% tariff by the US on Malaysian goods is a harmful move rooted in political motivations, says SME Corporation Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Panglima Bernard Giluk Dompok. He criticised the decision as being driven by a president with his own vision of national greatness – one that risks straining economic… Continue reading US tariff on Malaysian goods politically driven, says SME Corp chairman

KUALA LUMPUR: The Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Samenta) views the 25% tariff imposed by the US on Malaysian exports as a serious threat to the country’s trade competitiveness and industrial base, especially for export-oriented SMEs that form the backbone of the domestic manufacturing ecosystem. Samenta national president Datuk William Ng said the new US… Continue reading US tariffs pose ‘economic earthquake’ for SMEs

PETALING JAYA: The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has urged the government to act swiftly and decisively as a coordinated response to the United States’ decision to impose a 25% blanket tariff on most Malaysian goods entering the US market, with certain exemptions, from Aug 1. FMM President Tan Sri Dato’ Soh Thian Lai warned… Continue reading FMM calls for bold reforms to counter levy blow

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would impose a 50% tariff on imported copper and soon introduce long-threatened levies on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, broadening his trade war that has rattled markets worldwide. One day after he pressured 14 trading partners, including powerhouse US suppliers like South Korea and Japan with fresh tariff… Continue reading Trump signals sharp copper tariffs as he expands trade war

BEIJING: Unusually large quantities of antimony – a metal used in batteries, chips and flame retardants – have poured into the US from Thailand and Mexico since China barred US shipments last year, according to customs and shipping records, which show at least one Chinese-owned company is involved in the trade. China dominates the supply… Continue reading How US buyers work around China’s mineral ban

SHAH ALAM: SP Setia Bhd (Setia) has earned two prestigious awards namely the Gold award for Sapphire by The Gardens in Melbourne, Australia for the Residential High Rise category, and the Silver award for Amantara, Setia Eco Templer for Residential Low Rise category at the Fiabci World Prix D’Excellence Awards 2025, which were presented at… Continue reading SP Setia scores double win at Fiabci World Awards 2025

IPOH: Recent trends in the domestic real estate market show there is growing demand for ethical business practices and sustainable development. According to industry analysts, buyers increasingly favour developers who demonstrate social responsibility and long-term stewardship over those focused solely on profitability. Situated in an idyllic natural setting in Ipoh, The Haven’s philosophy aligns with… Continue reading The Haven rewrites ethical development

SUBANG JAYA: Proton New Energy Technology (Pro-Net), the new energy subsidiary of national automaker Proton Holdings Bhd (Proton), signed a MoU with Amtel Cellular Sdn Bhd, a unit of Amtel Holdings Bhd for the proper transportation, disassembly, and disposal of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This collaboration will see Pro-Net tap into Amtel’s expertise in maximising… Continue reading Pro-Net partners Amtel for cleaner EV battery disposal

PUTRAJAYA: Mindmatics Sdn Bhd, an expert in developing defence electronic systems (DES), has formed a strategic partnership with Nexcore Technology Co Ltd – a renowned company specialising in AI-powered cybersecurity solutions, advanced encryption systems, and communication technologies. The purpose of this collaboration is to merge Mindmatics’ expertise in defence electronic systems with Nexcore’s AI technological… Continue reading Mindmatics, Nexcore form cyber security ties

Nexcore CEO Tang Yang (left) exchanging documents with Abdul Wahab (right). PUTRAJAYA: Mindmatics Sdn Bhd, an expert in developing defence electronic systems (DES), has formed a strategic partnership with Nexcore Technology Co Ltd, a renowned company specialising in AI-powered cybersecurity solutions, advanced encryption systems, and communication technologies. The purpose of this collaboration is to merge… Continue reading Mindmatics, China-based Nexcore forge next-generation cyber defense partnership

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened slightly lower against the US dollar on Wednesday, as investors remained cautious ahead of Bank Negara Malaysia’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, with economists divided over the likelihood of an Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) cut, said an analyst. At 8 am, the local note eased to 4.2380/2660 against the greenback… Continue reading Ringgit opens slightly lower ahead of BNM meeting

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will not be significantly impacted by the newly imposed US tariff as the country primarily export products to the US that cannot be easily sourced or substituted domestically. Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the tariff hike announced on Monday – raising duties on Malaysian goods from 10%… Continue reading US consumers ultimately the ones to bear increase in palm oil prices: Johari

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s small and medium enterprises must act fast to adapt to the new 25% US tariff on Malaysian exports or risk facing severe disruptions to their operations, cash flow and long-term competitiveness, economists warn. Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Department of Economics and Financial Studies senior lecturer Dr Mohamad Idham Md Razak said the… Continue reading Act fast to adapt to 25% US tariff, Malaysian SMEs told

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian businesses and national-level economic groups are scrambling to assess the broader damage from the United States’ 25% tariff on Malaysian products that is set to go into effect on Aug 1. The tariff is part of a wider US push to reshore manufacturing and limit dependence on strategic imports. In addition to… Continue reading Scramble to assess broader damage from 25% US tariff

SEOUL: Samsung Electronics yesterday projected a far worse than expected 56% plunge in second-quarter operating profit due to weak AI chip sales, deepening investor concerns over the tech giant’s ability to revive its struggling semiconductor business. The world’s biggest memory chipmaker blamed the profit miss on US restrictions on advanced AI chips for China, but… Continue reading Samsung flags Q2 profit slump on US chip curbs

TOKYO: Donald Trump sent letters to 14 countries, mainly in Asia, informing them that higher import tariffs will come into effect on Aug 1 unless they reach a deal with the US. It is the second time the US president has set a deadline after he postponed tariffs on almost all countries in April for… Continue reading Asia number one target of Trump’s tariff letters

PETALING JAYA: Eupe Corporation Bhd signed a MoU with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) aimed at exploring innovative sustainable buildings practices and products for Malaysia’s property development industry. The agreement sets the stage for both parties to collaborate on joint research, skills development and real-world projects aimed at advancing environmentally responsible building practices in Malaysia.… Continue reading Eupe, Utar in pact to boost green building innovation

KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore-based petrochemicals, green energy and natural resources conglomerate ChemOne Group announced that the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), has approved an insurance cover of US$350 million (RM1.4 billion) for Pengerang Energy Complex (PEC) in Johor. This cover… Continue reading ChemOne secures US$350m Islamic insurance cover for PEC

PETALING JAYA: Measat Global Bhd, Malaysia’s premier space technology solutions provider, has secured authorisation from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to offer satellite services in India through NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL). With IN-SPACe’s authorisation, Measat is now able to offer space-based communications and broadcasting services in the Indian market, in line… Continue reading Measat secures IN-SPACe’s authorisation authorisation to provide satellite services in India

KUALA LUMPUR: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has shipped the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from its newly operational LNG Canada facility in Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada. The company said the shipment departed for Japan on Monday aboard the 174,000-cubic-metre Puteri Sejinjang LNG vessel, marking a significant milestone for Petronas’ investment in Canada. “This milestone… Continue reading Petronas ships its first cargo from LNG Canada facility

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) is introducing two grants totalling RM2.9 million aimed at accelerating digital transformation in two of Malaysia’s most strategic sectors – artificial intelligence (AI) and manufacturing. Eligibility for these grants is exclusively extended to companies possessing Malaysia Digital (MD) or MSC Malaysia status, or to those with a pending… Continue reading MDEC launches two grants totalling RM2.9m to accelerate digital transformation in AI and manufacturing sectors

HONG KONG: Most Asian markets climbed on Tuesday as traders cautiously welcomed US President Donald Trump’s decision to extend his tariff deadline by three weeks, though lingering trade policy concerns limited gains. The move came just days before the initial three-month pause on his “Liberation Day” tariffs was set to expire. Trump announced the extension… Continue reading Markets rise as Trump delays tariff deadline, sends letters to nations

PETALING JAYA: German companies operating in Malaysia remain highly confident in the country’s business environment, according to the latest World Business Outlook Spring 2025 Survey conducted by the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC). The survey reveals that 91% of German businesses rate their current business situation in Malaysia as “good” or “satisfactory”, underscoring… Continue reading German companies in Malaysia remain strongly optimistic: MGCC survey

PETALING JAYA: Proton has closed its books for the first six months of the year with an increased share of the Malaysian automotive market. Group sales in June amounted to 11,069 units, a slight increase over the same month in 2024, while total year-to-date (YTD) sales totalled 72,156 units, the second highest in the industry.… Continue reading Proton ends first six months of 2025 with increased market share

PETALING JAYA: Airbus Helicopters has signed two memorandums of understanding (MoU) with key players in the Malaysian aerospace and defence sectors – one to foster industrial cooperation in aerospace technologies and another to enhance military helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities – underscoring their shared commitment to innovation and regional security. The agreements were… Continue reading Airbus Helicopters signs MoUs with key players in Malaysian aerospace and defence sectors

PORT KLANG: In today’s work environment, employees often spend more time at the workplace than at home. This shift underscores the importance of creating a work setting that goes beyond its traditional function as merely a place to work. Recognising this, many organisations are placing greater emphasis on enhancing the aesthetics of their workplace. The… Continue reading Celebrating workplace diversity through mural art

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s timber industry must explore new export markets to reduce dependence on the United States, said Malaysian Timber Industry Forum Association (TIF) president Wahid Jaafar. He said Malaysia could sustain export volumes and secure better prices by shifting its focus to markets such as the Middle East and India. “With aggressive promotion, these… Continue reading Malaysian timber exporters told to seek new markets to reduce reliance on US

KUALA LUMPUR: Global investors are increasingly turning to the China and Hong Kong markets to offset the impact of US tariffs, as these Asia-focused markets present more attractive investment opportunities. Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd head of equity markets and group head of derivatives Philip Lim said most investors are eager to access the Chinese market,… Continue reading Kenanga IB debuts Hang Seng China Enterprises Index structured warrants